Public institutions are built slowly, through decades of effort, trust and responsible stewardship. They can be weakened quickly when leadership disregards the delicate balance required to keep essential services functioning.
This is especially true in Santa Clara County, where the property tax system underpins everything from public hospitals and behavioral health to schools, housing programs and transportation infrastructure. The person we elect as county assessor must understand not only the mechanics of the job, but the gravity of its impact on residents.
This is why we are troubled by the candidacy of Rishi Kumar. The pattern of his public actions raises serious questions about the intentions that would guide his leadership in an office that affects every household in Santa Clara County…